Bait

The night was as deep as ink.

Chu Mengxi sat on the rooftop opposite Ink Rhyme Studio, having been on surveillance for three days and three nights straight.

During these three days, the painter Wu Daozi had only sent his book boy out once to buy Xuan paper and pigments, with no other unusual actions.

This began to shake her originally firm suspicion.

Could it really just be a coincidence?

The moment her mind wavered slightly.

"Creeeak—"

The door of Ink Rhyme Studio, which had been shut tight for days, suddenly, silently, opened a crack.

A black shadow, like a wisp of smoke, drifted out from the gap in the door. With a few flickers, it vanished into the pitch-black night.

"Lost him!"

Chu Mengxi's heart leaped in alarm, and she immediately gave chase. But the black shadow was incredibly fast, its movement strange. Within a few breaths, its trace was completely lost.

Chu Mengxi returned to her original spot with a dark expression, filled with regret.

At almost the same time, Zhao Tie and Li Rui, who were responsible for monitoring Mr. Liu and the Iron Arm Bear King, encountered the same situation.

Both targets had disappeared from sight at the exact same time, in an extremely bizarre manner.

All three surveillance efforts had failed!

"How could this happen?!"

In the temporary meeting room, Chu Mengxi slammed her fist on the table, her face a mask of frustration and anger.

"These three suspects acted at the same time as if they had planned it! This is absolutely not a coincidence! They must be connected!"

"But boss, we've lost track of them now. The lead is broken!" Zhao Tie scratched his head anxiously.

"No, it's not broken yet."

Just then, Lin Feng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

All eyes turned to him again.

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the three people present, finally landing on Ling Yue'er.

"The best hunters often appear in the form of prey."

A profound, inscrutable smile played on Lin Feng's lips.

"Now, it's time to bring out our most dangerous, yet most effective bait."

"Huh? Me?"

Ling Yue'er pointed to her own nose, looking utterly bewildered.

Chu Mengxi instantly understood Lin Feng's intention, her expression changing drastically.

"No! I absolutely won't agree! This is too dangerous! The Skin-Peeling Demon targets girls like you. You're not going as bait, you're going to your death!"

"What's there to fear!"

Ling Yue'er puffed out her considerable chest, looking eager to try.

"With Brother Lin here, I'm not afraid. Besides, I want to avenge Sister Wan'er with my own hands!"

She had a level of trust in Lin Feng that bordered on blind faith.

"Lin Feng, what exactly are you trying to do?" Chu Mengxi stared at him, her phoenix eyes icy.

"It's very simple."

Lin Feng took out a talisman from his embrace and handed it to Ling Yue'er.

"This is a 'Tracking Talisman'. As long as you pick up the slightest trace of the target, no matter where they go, I can find their location."

"Tonight, Ling Yue'er will pretend to be like usual, alone, and go to the most bustling night market in the city to wander around. We will protect her from the shadows."

"The Skin-Peeling Demon hasn't committed a crime for three consecutive days. It will definitely act again. And a 'prey' as perfect as Ling Yue'er is an irresistible temptation for it."

Lin Feng's plan was simple yet insane.

It was for the City Lord's daughter, Ling Yue'er, to lure out the hidden viper!

"I still don't agree!"

Chu Mengxi's attitude remained resolute.

However, Ling Yue'er snatched the talisman and tucked it into her embrace like a treasure, giving Lin Feng a sweet smile.

"Brother Lin, I'll listen to you!"

That evening, Nan Yan Commandery's most bustling "Sleepless Street" was brightly lit and abuzz with activity.

Ling Yue'er changed into a beautiful goose-yellow dress and, like a dancing butterfly, weaved through the lively crowd.

She would look at the sugar figures by the roadside, then clap and cheer for the acrobatic performers, her innocent and lively demeanor drawing many glances.

And within a hundred meters of her, Chu Mengxi, Zhao Tie, and Li Rui had already transformed into ordinary passersby, silently distributed in various corners, firmly protecting her at the center.

Their senses had been heightened to the extreme, not missing even the slightest stir of the wind.

Lin Feng sat atop the tallest tavern, seemingly leisurely sipping tea.

But under the effect of his 110x critical strike, his perception was like an invisible net, covering the entire Sleepless Street.

Time ticked by, second by second.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

An hour...

Two hours...

As the night deepened and the pedestrians on the street gradually thinned, the cunning Skin-Peeling Demon had yet to appear.

"Could it be that it sensed something?"

Zhao Tie felt a pang of anxiety.

Just then.

"Yue'er!"

A gentle voice, like jade, echoed from the street corner.

A young man in white, holding a folding fan and with a handsome face, walked towards Ling Yue'er with surprise.

"Li... Li Tianyu?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Ling Yue'er's smile faltered slightly.

The man was Li Tianyu, the eldest son of the Li family, the most prominent clan in the commandery city, and her nominal fiancé.

"Yue'er, why are you out here alone so late? It's so dangerous!"

Li Tianyu approached Ling Yue'er, his words filled with concern.

"I... I just came out for some air."

Ling Yue'er replied evasively.

"I see. It just so happens I have nothing to do either. How about I accompany you for a stroll?"

Li Tianyu smiled as warmly as a spring breeze.

Chu Mengxi, hidden in the shadows, frowned slightly.

This Li Tianyu's appearance had undoubtedly disrupted their plan.

Yet, she couldn't openly drive him away. After all, the Li family's influence in Nan Yan Commandery was such that even the City Lord's mansion had to show them some respect.

However, the moment Li Tianyu's hand was about to touch Ling Yue'er's shoulder.

A flicker of disgust and vigilance flashed in Ling Yue'er's eyes.

She subtly took half a step back, evading Li Tianyu's touch. Simultaneously, the Thousand Mile Soul Chasing Talisman in her hand was silently crushed into powder.

"You're not Li Tianyu!"

Ling Yue'er's voice, though not loud, was filled with certainty!

"Oh?"

The smile on "Li Tianyu's" face remained unchanged. "Yue'er, why do you say that? If I'm not Li Tianyu, then who could I be?"

"Although Li Tianyu is an annoying hypocrite, he has a cleanliness obsession and never uses any incense... but you have a faint, yet disgusting smell on you!"

Ling Yue'er said coldly. "This smell is exactly the same as the one I smelled on Sister Wan'er!"

"Hahaha... Hahahaha!"

"Li Tianyu" suddenly threw his head back and laughed. The gentle, jade-like face began to contort and melt in an extremely bizarre manner!

In the blink of an eye, he transformed from a dashing young gentleman into a terrifying demon in a blood-red robe, with an eerie face that was neither male nor female!

A Skin-Peeling Demon!

"I never thought I'd be discovered by you, little girl, despite my perfect disguise! Truly... a pleasant surprise!"

The Skin-Peeling Demon stuck out its scarlet tongue and licked its lips. Its eerie eyes were filled with greed.

"Since you've discovered me, I won't pretend anymore. Your skin is more perfect than all my previous collections! Today, you are destined to become my most outstanding masterpiece!"

Before he finished speaking, its body flickered and transformed into a blood-red shadow, lunging directly at Ling Yue'er!

"Bold demon! How dare you be so presumptuous!"

Chu Mengxi, Zhao Tie, and Li Rui simultaneously roared. They burst out from the shadows, their three sharp attacks forming a triangular formation, sealing off all of the Skin-Peeling Demon's escape routes!

However, the Skin-Peeling Demon revealed a sinister smile.

"Just the three of you weaklings?"

Its body twisted impossibly in mid-air, and it actually split into three identical blood-red phantoms, each heading towards one of their attacks!

The three unleashed their full power, only to shatter the three phantoms!

The Skin-Peeling Demon's true body had already appeared behind Ling Yue'er like a phantom, and a pale hand reached for the back of her neck!

"No!"

Chu Mengxi and the others' faces changed drastically. By the time they thought of rescuing them, it was already too late!

Ling Yue'er was also so frightened that her face turned pale. She hadn't expected this monster to be so powerful!

Just at this critical moment.

"Die!"

A voice, calm yet tinged with impatience, like the cold ice of the nine netherworlds, sounded in the Skin-Peeling Demon's ear.

The Skin-Peeling Demon felt a terrifying killing intent, enough to freeze the soul, instantly lock onto it!

It turned its head sharply, only to see a blood-red lightning blade energy, so dazzling it seemed capable of cleaving stars, already upon it!